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Beer Garage

Special thanks to Beer Garage for extending this food review invitation.

Beer Garage is a new drinking establishment in Bandar Sunway. This eatery-cum-bar is within a short driving distance from Sunway Pyramid. Beer Garage obviously caters to the night-time drinking crowd.

The premises of Beer Garage was previously an automobile workshop. Red brick walls, metal roof, tool carts and tires are remnants of the former garage. Occupying an end lot, the sports bar has plenty of dining space on the side.

At open kitchen, meats are grilled over burning charcoal. The dishes here are generally heavy in taste because they are meant to go with alcoholic beverages.

The Charcoal Grilled New Zealand Lamb (RM20.00) is basted with sweet-savory barbecue sauce. Mint sauce is provided as the condiment. The dish includes a side of customer's choice: Caesar salad, mashed potatoes or French fries. The Caesar salad comes with hard-boiled eggs and croutons.

As for poultry, the Charcoal Grilled Chicken Chop (RM14.00) is highly recommended. Compared to the lamb chop, the deboned chicken thigh is substantially tenderer. This dish also comes with a choice of side. Shown here is a serving of hand mashed potatoes.

Moving to Thai food, my favorite dish this evening is the Grilled Skewered Milk Pork (คอหมูย่าง, RM12.00). This skewered Thai snack is thoroughly marinated with coconut milk, making the pork scrumptious to the last morsel.

The Chicken Feet Salad (ยำเล็บมือนาง, RM15.00) has an intense tanginess that some people may not be comfortable with. Nevertheless, the rubbery texture of chicken feet is craved by many. The salad is garnished with coriander and cherry tomatoes.

Red tilapia is used for the next dish, Salted Crusted Grilled Fish (ปลาเผา, RM5.00 per 100 grams). The fish is stuffed with lemongrass, galangal and pandan to enhance its flavor. Its crispy skin is too salty on its own but goes pretty well with beer. As for condiments, nam chim thale (น้ำจิ้มทะเล) and nam chim chaeo (น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว) are provided.

Steamed Squid With Spicy Seafood Sauce (ปลาหมึกนึ่งมะนาว, RM20.00) is another pungent Thai dish. The squids are flavored with bird's eye chili, garlic, lime slices and lemon juice. Be prepared to have your taste buds tantalized by the combination of sour and spicy flavors.

As for local seafood fare, Salt & Pepper Crispy Soft Shell Crab (盐椒软壳蟹, RM15.00) is an interesting choice. The crabs' shells are sufficiently soft enough to be eaten entirely.

Deep Fried White Pomfret (香脆小白鲳, RM16.00) comes in six pieces per serving. In my opinion, it would be better if smaller fish were used. Ideally, the pomfret should be crispy enough to be eaten with its bones.

Hakka Fried Pork (客家炸肉, RM16.00) is prepared by marinating pork belly with fermented tofu (南乳). Unfortunately, the taste of this dish does not line up with my expectation. In addition, I feel that the pig's skin is too chewy instead of being crispy.

Customers who are fond of offal may want to try Fried Pork Intestine With Dried Shrimp & Chili (虾米爆生肠, RM20.00). Actually the "intestine" is the sow's oviduct (生肠), not the guts. This delicacy is cooked with garlic to enhance its aroma and taste.

Fried San Mee (炒生面, RM9.00) contains shrimps, chicken, egg, bean sprouts and cabbage. The noodle's mild spiciness comes from red chili peppers. Fried San Mee is best enjoyed while it is warm.

Beer Garage offers draft beer for a mere RM10.00 per glass. There are four choices: Asahi, Connor's, Kronenbourg Blanc and Carlsberg. If you are hanging out with friends, go for a beer tower (RM98.00) instead.

The atmosphere at Beer Garage is pretty lively especially after sunset. There is a pool table for patrons to enjoy the evening. Meanwhile, electronic entertainment includes iPong (electronic pong) and electronic darts. A game of iPong (RM58.00) comes with a jug of Carlsberg beer. The loser pays for the winner's drinks!